How to Get Pregnant Fast – Useful Tips to Conceive Quickly

As a couple, you may have spent many years trying not to conceive a baby by having protected sex. But now, if you have made a decision to get pregnant and start a family, waiting would be the last thing you would want to do. In good hope, you must have even typed on the search bar, “How can I get pregnant fast?” If you want to get pregnant quickly, there are certain things you will have to take care of to make the most of the baby-making process. This article discusses the best time to try getting pregnant and methods that you can use to conceive a baby, along with some useful tips and suggestions that you can use, as a couple, to conceive a healthy baby naturally.

How to Get Pregnant Fast

If you are a young couple under the age of 35 and have unprotected sex regularly, it should take a maximum of 6 months to conceive a baby. However, if you have been trying for a year now and have not conceived, it is probably the time to seek medical help. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) offers the same recommendation for couples over the age of 35 who have not conceived after a period of 6 months (1).

Having said that, it is important that you remember that conceiving can take time. It is estimated that a healthy 30-year-old woman only has a 20% chance of getting pregnant any given month. Hence, as a couple, you must not stress about not getting pregnant and must continue to enjoy your sex life regularly.

Listed below are some of the basic steps you must take as a couple to increase your chances of conception:

1. Have Sex Regularly

According to fertility experts, you can have sex regularly, but not daily, as sperm can survive up to 5 days. Maintain a sufficient time gap between the incidences of sexual intercourse in order to give sperm enough time to build up. Have sex when you are most fertile, as your chances of conceiving during this time will be the highest. If you’re a female with a regular cycle of 30 days, your most fertile days will be from day 12 to day 18 from the first day of your period. If you have a cycle of 26-26 days, the ovulation will happen between 12 and 14 days in any given cycle (2). However, if your periods are irregular, your fertility days will differ.

2. Withdraw Birth Control Measures in Advance

Some hormonal forms of birth control can reduce your fertility even after you discontinue their use. In the case of birth control pills, their hormone effect should not be long-lasting, and you should be able to return to your regular menstrual cycles prior to the use of these pills. If you use intrauterine devices (IUDs), ensure that you get the device removed by a healthcare professional in order to regain your fertility. The effects of Depo-Provera can be more long-lasting; therefore, stop taking the shots at least a year prior to trying to conceive to improve your chances of pregnancy.

3. Learn About Your Cycle

You have been menstruating for over two decades now, but how much do you know about your cycle? If you want to get pregnant, it is important that you understand your cycle. By understanding your cycle, you will know when you’re most fertile and when would be the right time to get under the sheets with your partner (3).

Additionally, you must get rid of any unhealthy habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, to help you conceive a healthy baby. Following a regular dosage of folic acid (at least a month before trying to conceive) can improve your chances and reduce the risk of any birth defects in your baby. Maintaining normal body weight and limiting your intake of caffeine to around 16 ounces each day can also help.

When Is the Best Time to Conceive?

The best time to get pregnant is during the ovulation period, a period when a mature egg is released from the ovary. While sperm is able to survive for 48 to 72 hours after sex, the mature egg can only live for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. This means that the female egg can only get fertilized 12-24 hours after it is released. Hence, to increase your chances of conception, it is best to have sex around 2-3 days before ovulation. This ensures that there is a healthy supply of sperm in the fallopian tube to fertilize the egg when it is finally released.

Predicting when your ovulation will happen can help immensely in conceiving your baby.

In the average 28-day menstruation cycle for any woman, ovulation happens only once and is generally around 14 days prior to the start of the next cycle. However, women with a 28-day menstruation cycle are in the minority, as most women have a menstruation cycle lasting between 24 and 35 days. As ovulation occurs 14 days before the last day of the cycle, or the day when you get your periods, it means that it could happen on day 10 for a woman with a 24-day menstruation cycle or on day 21 for a woman with a 35-day menstruation cycle.

Women with regular menstrual cycles can use devices such as the ovulation calculator to predict their ovulation time each month. Additionally, ovulation prediction kits that test your hormone levels throughout your menstruation period will be able to determine which day you are likely to ovulate.

For women with irregular periods, predicting when ovulation will happen can be a little difficult. If your menstrual cycle is irregular, you can look for the following symptoms that could indicate that ovulation is happening:

1. Note any increase in your basal body temperature.

Your basal body temperature is the temperature of your body at rest. This temperature increases slightly during the ovulation process. Take a measurement of your body temperature using a thermometer each morning before you get off your bed. You can detect your temperature patterns from your recordings. Fertility will be at the highest 2-3 days before the temperature rises.

2. Note any change in vaginal secretions.

Observe any increase in wet and sticky vaginal secretions, which happens just before ovulation. After ovulation, the cervical mucus lessens and appears to be thicker and cloudier.

How Long Does It Take to Conceive?

According to the Mayo Clinic, most healthy couples who frequently engage in unprotected sex conceive within a year (4). The American Pregnancy Association, on the other hand, say that 30% conceive in about one month, 60% in about three months, 80% in about 6 months, 85% within a year, and 92% within 4 years (3).

Have Sex Before the Ovulation Time Period?

Once you have estimated the monthly time frame of your ovulation, you should plan to have sex during the fertility window, which lasts two to three days before ovulation and on the day of your ovulation. The chances of pregnancy are high if you have intercourse between the five days leading to the ovulation and the ovulation day (5).

If you are unsure about the fertility window, aim to have sexual intercourse regularly during the second and third weeks of your menstruation cycle. This will ensure that there are enough healthy and active sperm in the fallopian tube before the release of the egg.

Additional tips about having sex before ovulation include ensuring that you, as a couple, have not gone through the long dry spell of not having sex prior to having intercourse during the fertility period. To prevent the build-up of dead sperm in the semen, the male partner should also ejaculate at least once in the days before having intercourse.

Best Ways to Increase Your Chances of Pregnancy

As a couple, you must both be in the best of physical health before you even try to conceive a baby. Most doctors would recommend that you fix an appointment with an obstetrician to discuss any health problems and to get screened for any genetic disorders. Additionally, your doctor can recommend you make some lifestyle-related changes, which can improve your chances of conception.

In order to increase your chances of conception, avoid the following:

1. Vaginal Lubricants

Many research studies have shown that the use of vaginal lubricants can damage the sperm and interfere with their movement to the uterus to fertilize the egg (6). This is because the pH level (acidity) of lubricants is high enough to kill the sperm. Instead of harmful lubricants, use foreplay activities such as sensitive touching, kissing, and hugging for 15 to 20 minutes before having intercourse. If foreplay does not work, it is better to use warm water as a lubricant, as water is not toxic to sperm.

2. High Caffeine

Women who consume caffeine in excessive amounts may find it hard to conceive. Many studies link high caffeine consumption to infertility issues in males; however, there is no clear evidence to make an association (7). While consuming around 200-300 mg of caffeine (equivalent to 2 cups of coffee) each day is fine, consumption of over 500 mg (or 5 cups of coffee) should be avoided, as it can reduce fertility in the long run.

3. Alcohol

Although there has been no research about the safe levels of alcohol consumption, couples, both men and women, who are trying to get pregnant must avoid its consumption completely. It is also recommended that women don’t drink during the second half of the menstruation cycle, after ovulation. In fact, heavy alcohol consumption is linked with an impact on men’s sperm count and quality, according to a 2017 research published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online (8).

4. Smoking

Couples who smoke may take a long time to conceive. Smoking must be strictly avoided by both partners when trying to have a baby. Not only can regular smoking impact your fertility, but it can also even impact your child’s future fertility level. Additionally, smoking can harm the female ovaries, cause low sperm count in men, increase the loss of eggs, and even result in early menopause for the woman (9).

Additional complications caused due to smoking include increased risks of miscarriage, along with premature or underweight babies.

5. Stress

High levels of stress can affect fertility in men and impact ovulation in women (10). Stress can cause a delay in the ovulation cycle, make you miss ovulation, or even increase the duration of the menstruation cycle. Stress due to financial problems or career issues that couples face can delay their conception efforts.

Stress-relieving exercises, such as yoga or any mind-body relaxation programs, can help you relax and improve your overall chances of conception.

While there is no scientific evidence of any particular foods or diet that can improve conception or help getting pregnant quickly, women are advised to consume a healthy and balanced diet to improve their chances of conception. You must avoid consuming fish such as swordfish, king mackerel, and more, which are high in mercury and have been known to be associated with infertility.

Useful Tips for Getting Pregnant Fast and Naturally

Getting pregnant fast naturally is possible with a little help. Here is a list of useful tips and suggestions that couples can follow to get pregnant fast and naturally (11):

• You can try different sex positions to get pregnant faster. The classic man-on-top position would be the best recommendation. Avoid immediately leaping out of bed after the completion of the sexual intercourse. Take some time and enjoy with your partner. You can even keep a pillow under your hips or keep your legs raised after sex for about 20 minutes to improve the chances of the sperm entering the egg.
• For healthier and stronger sperm, the man should incorporate some lifestyle changes. Strong and healthy sperm always have a higher chance of fertilizing an egg.
• Avoid tobacco, marijuana, or any other drugs.
• Limit the daily consumption of alcoholic drinks.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Having a balanced diet comprising whole grains, fish, and vegetables can improve male fertility. Foods rich in Vitamin C can boost sperm motility (or movement), while foods such as oysters, beef tenderloin, and baked beans can supply zinc, which is necessary to avoid infertility. Additionally, low levels of Vitamin B can impact sperm health; hence, men must consume healthy breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables, and orange juice daily.
• Avoid the use of hot bathtubs or saunas, as high temperatures can kill sperm. It is recommended to take a hot water bath at around 94-96 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly lower than our normal body temperature.
• According to experts, men should wear loose boxers or shorts instead of tighter briefs, which can help keep the testicles cooler and boost sperm production. Additionally, men should avoid keeping electronic devices such as laptops on their lap, which can increase the temperature of the testicles and can harm sperm production.

While achieving orgasms can improve the feel-good factor of having sexual intercourse, it does not impact conception in any way.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to conceive fast?

It is possible to get pregnant fast. About 80% of people get pregnant within 6 months of trying, while some conceive within a month. It all depends on your current health, medical history, lifestyle, age, when and how you try ot conceive and many other factors.

2. How many sperm are enough to become pregnant?

Millions of sperm are present in a single ejaculation, and you only need one sperm to fertilise an egg and to get you pregnant.

3. How to make the sperm stay inside?

No studies suggest you need to do things to keep sperm inside in order to get pregnant. You can move freely after sex. To increase your chances, you can try different positions.

4. Can exercise improve the chances of successful conception?

Yes, exercise is important for both partners to conceive successfully. It keeps the body flexible and hospitable for a foetus to grow. Obesity is associated with irregular ovulation and other complications that may arise when trying to conceive (12). Maintaining a healthy weight is also important to improve the chances of getting pregnant fast. However, excessive exercise may disrupt ovulation (13).

Infertility is a problem that can impact both men and women, hence seeking medical consultation and help from a qualified doctor is required and recommended at the earliest.

References/Resources:

1. Evaluating Infertility; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/evaluating-infertility

2. Trying to Get Pregnant? Here’s When to Have Sex.; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/trying-to-get-pregnant-heres-when-to-have-sex

3. How to Get Pregnant – Best Tips to Help You Conceive; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/how-to-get-pregnant/

4. Getting pregnant; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/how-to-get-pregnant/art-20047611

5. Optimizing Natural Fertility; American Society for Reproductive Medicine; https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/optimizing-natural-fertility/

6. Steiner. A. Z, Long. D. L, et al; Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility. Obstet Gynecol.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3427535/#:~:text=Commonly%20used%20vaginal%20lubricants%20have,concentrations%20(4%E2%80%938).; July 2012

7. Kumar. M, et al.; Effect of Stress and Caffeine on Male Infertility; Cureus; https://www.cureus.com/articles/109365-effect-of-stress-and-caffeine-on-male-infertility#!/; August 2022

8. Ricci. E, et al.; Semen quality and alcohol intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Reproductive Biomedicine Online; https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(16)30560-0/fulltext; October 2016

9. Rehman. R, et al.; Relationship Between Smoking Habit and Sperm Parameters Among Patients Attending an Infertility Clinic; Frontiers in Physiology; https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.01356/full; October 2019

10. Rooney. K. L, Domar. A. D; The relationship between stress and infertility; Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney; April 2022

11. How to Get Pregnant Naturally; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/planning/how-to-get-pregnant-naturally/

12. Dağ. Z. Ö, Dilbaz. B; Impact of obesity on infertility in women. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4456969/; June 2015

13. Hakimi. O, Cameron. L; Effect of Exercise on Ovulation: A Systematic Review; Sports Medicine; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-016-0669-8?cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_BOOKS_ECOM_GL_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100047226&CJEVENT=a3af6615bbb011ef801902300a18b8f9; December 2016

Also Read:

A Guide to Fertility
Most Common Baby Making Mistakes
How to Increase Progesterone to Get Pregnant
Does Orgasm Boost Your Odds of Getting Pregnant?
Best Time of the Day to Get Conceive – Morning, Afternoon or Night?